My ram's laid eggs and im out of my depth!

[AquaB]

Hi all,

Ive just come home to discover my German ram has laid eggs!!

Now the problem is, im still relatively (im sure most would say very!) new to fishkeeping in general. (aprox 5 months in)

She has laid them on the side of my filter and they are covered, a little, by a plant that grows infront of the filter.

What should i do? im not sure if im experienced enough to breed, but i'll have a go if i can get the right advise/guideance or be pointed in the direction of a good site/book. Im also concerned about the extra time involved, if any as i work long hours and only just have enough time to do the regular water changes and tests.

If you all think im best of not getting involved yet, i still need some advise on what to do. If i do nothing what would happen? would this be immoral? etc.

if i decide to go for it, what do i do? is it as hard as it seems? whats involved etc. im not expecting anyone to babysit me through the process, just a finger in the right direction to a good site or book as prev mentioned!!

im also pretty shocked as she has laid eggs against all odds. my tank is not ideal for rams, but i was advised that they would not be unhappy in my tank.

My ph is a constant 8. my nitrates are higher than id like them to be (12.5mg/l) but i am working on that as we speak; and we have had some very hot weather of late and the temp has been around 30 as apossed to the usual 26. (although my instinct tells me this may of encouraged the mating!? - i know i get fruity when the suns out!!)

Any advise would be appreciated, but my most pressing concern is water changes... can i just carry on as usual (obviously avoiding the area!) or do i need to approach it differently?

Also are any of my fish an immediate thret to the eggs?

if you dont think im ready from reading this please feel free to tell me straight - i can take it. i just want to do the right thing!!

Thanks,

Alex

[Brhino]

EmmanuelJB had his rams breed unexpectly too. His thread will probably be a very good read for you:
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It's a trial-and-error process. It takes some time for the fish to get it right, and for the fish keeper as well.

And no, I don't think it's immoral to let nature take its course and see what happens.

[rich311k]

Those eggs are not going to survive with your stocking. The parents will get over whelmed and probably eat them. They will need there mown tank to have a chance of raising fry. I would just watch and see what happens.

[AquaB]

Thanks for advise. im not set up for breeding. i dont have a spare tank etc. so i will just let it run its course and hope for the best me thinks!?

meanwhile please enjoy the pics.

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[Lab_Rat]

Just let the parents do their thing. Chances are the eggs will get eaten, but you can plan ahead for next time if you're interested in raising the fry. GBR do prefer warmer temps, I kept mine at 84 degrees.

The eggs that have turned white are fungused over. You may want to try and remove them before the fungus spreads to other eggs if the parents haven't already.

[little hawaii]

Pass the cigars. Very cool.

[lobsternoob]

Let nature run its course, well, I guess that's maybe not the right way of putting it because aquariums aren't a natural environment, but you probably get the idea. If you aren't ready for babies and don't have anything you can do with them what choice do you really have? GBR's are not the easiest fish in the world to breed, or at least raise succesfully, but at least you seem to have a matched pair, maybe in the future invest in another tank to breed them, if you're interested in doing such.

[AquaB]

now im in a dilemma,

some of the eggs appear to be moving around. shaking and jumping off the bogwood where i discovered some more!

are they hatching? they cant be can they?

they pretty much look like sperm thru a microscope or tiny white tadpoles.

what do i do? can/should i still do water changes? i was just starting one when i discovered the eggs on the wood.

[Spardas]

Are you capable or raising live brine shrimp and do you have another tank available?